Not just any oil was suitable for use in
the Temple Menorah. The Torah stipulates that the
oil be particularly refined, made from hand-crushed olives,
so that it will “raise up a constant
flame” (Ex. 27:20).

Why does the Torah use this unusual phrase, “to raise
up the flame”? Why not say simply “to
kindle the flame”?

Proper Oil and Wicks

The Sages explained that this phrase indicates that the
lights of the Menorah must burn easily and
naturally, necessitating that only the finest oil and
wicks be used. The oil must be pure,
produced from types of oil that are easily
absorbed, and the wicks must be made from a
material that burns smoothly. With such high quality oil and
wicks, the flame will “raise itself up” and will not
need to be fiddled with.

For Sabbath lights, the Sages similarly required that the
oil come from a substance that is absorbed easily, and
the wicks be made from a material that
burns smoothly. ‘Those wicks and oils that the
Sages disqualified from use on the Sabbath may
also not be used in the Temple’ (Shabbat 21a).

Elevating Body and Soul

Rav Kook explained that there is a deeper significance
to this rule. The goal of the Sabbath
is to perfect the individual, and the requirement
for easily lit wicks and oil contains an
important lesson about the path to spiritual growth.

If the body is overwhelmingly drawn toward physical pleasures,
the intellect will not succeed in guiding it.
One may become skilled in some craft, or
gain proficiency in certain areas of wisdom, but wisdom will
not reside in the heart. The overriding attraction
to material pursuits will interfere with the illumination
of the intellect.

Our body is like a wick. It must be
refined so that it does not resist the
light, but rather works together with the soul.
Only then it will be illuminated easily and evenly.
This is the essence of the Sabbath: a
day set aside for harmonious living, so that
we may naturally grow in holiness and true
service of God.

The oil is a metaphor for the human intellect.
The mind also needs guidance; not every
intellectual pursuit leads to ethical and spiritual growth.
Cases abound of brilliant individuals who led amoral,
even corrupt lives. Just as the oil of
the Menorah must be of a type that
is readily absorbed by the wick, so too, we
should immerse ourselves in a wisdom which provides practical guidance
toward proper living. Such is the wisdom of Israel —
the Torah.

Lights of the Individual and the Nation

The Sabbath day promotes the spiritual growth of the
individual. But what about the spiritual growth of
the nation? What if the nation seeks to
amass wealth and power, regardless of any injustices
perpetrated along the way? Unfortunately, this is a
common phenomenon: the individual aspires to justice and goodness,
while his country ruthlessly pursues its objectives.

The heritage of the Jewish people, however, is different.
Our national aspirations are at one with our
individual aspirations. Both are rooted in God’s law
from Sinai. Both the individual and the nation
pursue the same goals of justice and kindness.
This is the significance of the association made between the Sabbath lights and the
Temple Menorah, connecting the aspirations of the individual
and the nation. Both Sabbath and Temple lights
require oil and wicks that burn smoothly and
easily. The Torah of the nation, like that
of the individual, must guide its actions effectively, and
not be limited to abstract philosophical inquiry.

Raising Itself Up

The Sages further explained that flame needs to be
constant, a light that “raises itself up.” What
does this mean? Our impetus for seeking justice
and good should be based on intrinsic, natural
motives. This is accomplished by purifying the body
through the sanctity of practical mitzvot, and the mind
through the light of Torah study. Then we do not
require artificial assistance to avoid evil. Our
enlightened conscience will
naturally lead us to the proper path.